LATEST ISSUE

In this special retrofit issue we launch our new RetroFirst campaign championing reuse in the built environment. We also announce the winners of the AJ Retrofit Awards 2019 covering 18 different categories; as well as building studies of two retrofit projects: Orms’ conversion of council offices into a hotel in Camden, north London; and Flower Michelin Architects’ Shingle House renovation and extension of a seaside ...

The practice has been appointed to masterplan upgrades to the library, reading room and exhibition space inside the society’s E J Stubbs-designed 1904 Arts and Crafts building.

The project will improve access to the organisation’s collection of rare books, artefacts and prints and includes a new entrance, permanent display and hospitality facilities within the hall’s exhibition space which was originally designed for horticultural shows.

In a statement, RHS said: ‘The vision is for an entirely new facility at RHS headquarters, one that is a vibrant heart of horticulture, open to all levels of horticulturalists and the wider gardening public with a variety of events and ways of engaging people, based around a library that meets academic and lending needs.

‘The central London location of the Library allows the Society to engage with individuals and groups who might not otherwise have the access to art and literature collections of this quality, or have the opportunity to learn about gardening.’

Andy Groarke of the practice added: ‘This project is an important opportunity for the Royal Horticultural Society to engage many more people with their world-class horticultural collection, and enable their Vincent Square headquarters to become an important research resource and destination for generations to come.

‘We are delighted that we have been awarded the opportunity to be involved with the RHS’s vision at such an important moment in their development.’

The architect of the RHS’ neighbouring Art Deco Lawrence Hall, Howard Robertson, won the Royal Gold Medal in 1949.

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